Sword, Magic and Academic Society-Chapter 287Vol. 1 - - Interlude - Melancholy, Sunset, and Scuffle (2)

“Behold, gentlemen. A poor commoner being harassed by students of a fourth-rate school, crying with his knees hugged like that.”

“Ah, I see that, Purai-san. I know those uniforms… Those are students from Minami Nautical School. They’re brutes dimwits, and have no class.”

These four belonged to the Runerelia Comprehensive Advanced Academy. It was a prestigious school so expensive the tuition alone could make your eyes pop. A fitting institute for the kids of the wealthy.

They'd been on their business when they suddenly stumbled on a boy being hassled by some rough-looking delinquents. The boy was sitting on the ground with his knees to his chest and tears in his eyes.

This group had been just out of archery practise ground—a place for hobbyists which cost a good amount of money—and were about to board their carriage when they saw it.

«Are you deaf? Get up for me!»

«Hey, don't try to ignore me! Believe me or not, I will seriously kill you!»

A group of ruffians were trying to force the boy to get on his feet, despite the latter's resistance, perhaps to drag him somewhere out of sight.

"Tch. It's not their fault they weren't born with bright minds, but it's truly intolerable to see them picking on the weak. We must stop them."

"Wha—are you serious, Purai-san? Stopping them is... you know students in nautical majors are always quick to throw punches. We might get injured if they use violence."

"He's right. I say, we are better off informing the guard of the practice ground. It should be enough."

But Purai shook his head with a self-righteous earnestness.

"You should know you're assured to bear responsibilities later down the line. You need to cultivate the capacity to resolve conflicts yourselves. This is ideal practice, wouldn’t you agree?”

In their world, hierarchy was determined almost entirely by the wealth and influence of their families.

As someone from a family of generals, Purai was obviously the leader of their group. Since he had decided to pick it up, his three followers could only oblige helplessly.

◆◆◆

"Oh dear, what might be bringing that much of a crowd......?"

Jeana, a neighbouring resident, was out on a walk with her dog when her attention was grabbed by the crowd gathered at the riverside.

She was 15 years old, and a student of the Royal Capital’s prestigious Central Noble Academy, one of the four Advanced Academies it had to offer. They're collectively dubbed «NOKM»—short for "Noble-Official-Knight-Mage»—and her Central Noble Academy represented the N, Noble.

Royal Academy was in a league of its own, so it was a rather large exception. But, of course, the students of the four academies were also cream of the kingdom.

They're typically bright students who had missed Royal Academy by a silver margin, like one might have a brain, but fall short in brawn. In another case, one could be the sharpest sword, but their brain wasn't as fast as their sword. In conclusion, they're a gem in their fields.

"......They're... the students of Minami Nautical Vocational Institute, and Runerelia Comprehensive Advanced Academy...? Even for a squabble, it's quite an odd composition—hmm? Who's this boy at their centre, hugging his knees?"

The next words came from Ford. He had been closely following Jeana on her walk.

Ford was of the same age as Jeana, albeit he had been a student of West Castle Knight Academy. As a fact, some of its graduates had even made it to Knight Order. Of the «NOKM», West Castle represented the K of Knight.

«Holy schmoly, that guy is like an immovable buddha! Cmon, move for me, dammit!»

«Alright! You win! I’ll pay you eight thousand Rea—just stand up and leave already!»

Between the sailor-looking boys and the jangling, over-decorated noble kids, Jeana finally noticed a single boy sitting there, hugging his knees.

"My, you're right! Wait, are they bullying the poor kid? No, I must stop them."

"...Do not jump on their fray, Jeana. These aren’t people you should involve yourself with. Your kindness is a virtue, but it’s also a flaw. You can’t save everyone.”

“But, I can’t just leave hi—Sherry?!”

Before Jeana could step in, her dog suddenly bolted forward.

“Grrr! Woof! Woof! Woof!”

“ “Uwaah! What’s with this huge dog?!” ”

"I, I am so sorry! I let go of the leash by mistake! No, Sherry—stop!”

Sherry bared her fangs, barking fiercely at the kneeling, crying boy. Her fur stood on end, bristling with hostility.

“A-are you okay? I’m so sorry. She normally never barks at people like this…”

For the first time, after having ignored every threat and word around him, the boy spoke. His gaze stayed on the river.

"Animals have never fancied my presence for as long as I can remember. Anyway, I am sitting here of my volition. You should leave. Your boyfriend is already worried sick for you."

Jeana had a stunned expression for a moment, but that quickly blossomed into a smile.

"Boyfriend? Ah, you must be talking about Ford. No, he's not my boyfriend. We're just friends. ...I am curious. Why have you decided to sit here, and not the empty bench over there?"

As she asked, giggling softly, the boy finally moved, rotating his body precisely to a point thirty degrees to Jeana’s right.

“...I was sitting on the ground so I could look the flowers in the eye, Jeana-san.

My father always said you shouldn’t look down on flowers.”

"To look into the eyes of flowers... Mhm, your father seems to be a gentle soul! Is he perhaps a bard, or maybe a florist? It just happens I am also quite fond of flowe—"

Just as Jeana’s eyes began to sparkle at the boy’s answer, Ford cut between them with a face full of irritation.

“Jeana, step away from him. And you kid, how do you know Jeana’s name? Depending on your answer, I, Ford Edward, won’t be so forgiving.”

The moment Ford said his name, the people around them reacted in shock, whispering among themselves.

“Ford Edwards!? He’s the one from the West Knights…!”

“Then that girl must be Jeana Universe, the Madonna of Central Academy…”

“What are celebrities like them doing here…?”

Despite Ford’s glare, the boy didn’t flinch. Instead, he let out a faint, nihilistic smile.

“...The wind told me.”

◆

“Dan-kun… look at that…”

One of the sailing club members, who had been straining to pull a rope tight, suddenly noticed something and pointed toward the shore with a fed-up expression.

Dan followed his gaze, and found Allen—the latter was supposed to be quietly watching so he could give everyone advice later—now completely surrounded by a crowd.

And judging from the atmosphere, it was anything but amiable.

“…I really bought him this once, seeing how he was actually behaving himself for once. He truly doesn't know when to give it a rest.”

Dan muttered in exasperation. Meanwhile, a dog ran toward the scene barking, and behind it two students in the uniforms of a prestigious royal academy rushed over, swelling the crowd even more.

“…I’ll go stop whatever that is. Bring the ship closer to shore.”

◆

“The wind told me.”

“......What, the wind? .........You brat, are you trying to mock me!"

Foreign to Allen's meaning, Ford unsurprisingly had a blue vein popping on his forehead, but Jeana giggled softly as if finding it charming.

"I am sure he meant to say 'he heard it from rumours.' I like the figure of speech, it has such a romantic tinge. It must be the influence of his father. You don't have to be so worked up."

Still glaring at Allen, Ford shook his head.

“You really should be more aware of your place.”

Ford had barely worded his warning when something none of them expected happened.

A sailboat approached the shore, then suddenly veered sharply about ten meters out. Using the recoil, a single figure vaulted from the deck in one astonishing leap.

“Hey, you all. I am Daniel Serdos… and I’d strongly suggest you stay away from him.”

The moment Dan introduced himself, it was as if someone had flashed a royal seal. Everyone froze in shock.

“D-Daniel Serdos!?”

“The monstrosity of Royal Academy’s Class A!”

“The prodigy who got scouted by the Royal Knights at thirteen…!”

Their gazes were laced with awe and fear as they glanced at Dan.

Jeana’s cheeks flared bright red as she fumbled to tuck her hair behind her right ear over and over, stammering through her greeting.

“U-Um… I’m Jeana Universe. A-and… I’m cheering for you, so… g-good luck!”

That was all she managed before bowing her head deeply. Seeing her owner like that, Sherry, showing her cleverness, lowered herself to the ground as well, as if bowing beside Jeana.

"A-ah, thanks. Anyway, why the hell you can't even do something as simple as staying quiet for five minutes!? I told you to stay put!”

The moment Dan complained like that, a shock seized the crowd, as if the ground beneath them had given away.

“A-Allen? …Allen Rovenne!?”

“E-eeeek!!”

Allen glanced at Jeana in trepidation, and saw her backing away, trembling violently with tears welling in her eyes. Her courageous Sherry barked furiously as she shielded her owner behind her small body.

Allen stood up in one smooth motion and approached Dan with a smile. Then he brought down a full-force karate chop toward Dan’s head.

“Gugh!”

But Dan effortlessly countered Allen’s no-windup chop with a quick short uppercut, knocking Allen flat onto the ground.

"I knew you would do that, idiot. How does it feel to taste your own medicine, eh?!"

Allen slowly got back to his feet, expression blank.

Then he slid his left hand into his pocket, pointed his right index finger straight at Dan, and declared:

“Ku-ku-ku… You’ve gone and made me mad now.”

“…What was even that pose supposed to be!?”

“Shut up! You’re the one who told me to sit and stay still, and I did exactly that!”

“Don’t blame me! Why didn’t you sit on the bench?! And at least introduce yourself! Anyone would think you did it on purpose!”

“Sh-shut up, shut uuuup!”

◆

And so, under the blazing red glow of the setting sun on the riverbank, Allen enjoyed a good long scuffle with his friend.

And the onlookers—plus one frightened dog—scattered like spiders fleeing from a boot, desperate not to get caught in the crossfire, as obvious it was.